Inequality \In`e*qual"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Inequalities}. [L.
inaequalitas.]
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1. The quality of being unequal; difference, or lack of
equality, in any respect; lack of uniformity;
disproportion; unevenness; disparity; diversity; as, an
inequality in size, stature, numbers, power, distances,
motions, rank, property, etc.
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There is so great an inequality in the length of our
legs and arms as makes it impossible for us to walk
on all four. --Ray.
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Notwithstanding which inequality of number, it was
resolved in a council of war to fight the Dutch
fleet. --Ludlow.
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Sympathy is rarely strong where there is a great
inequality of condition. --Macaulay.
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2. Unevenness; lack of levelness; the alternate rising and
falling of a surface; as, the inequalities of the surface
of the earth, or of a marble slab, etc.
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The country is cut into so many hills and
inequalities as renders it defensible. --Addison.
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3. Variableness; changeableness; inconstancy; lack of
smoothness or equability; deviation; unsteadiness, as of
the weather, feelings, etc.
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Inequality of air is ever an enemy to health.
--Bacon.
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4. Disproportion to any office or purpose; inadequacy;
competency; as, the inequality of terrestrial things to
the wants of a rational soul. --South.
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5. (Alg.) An expression consisting of two unequal quantities,
with the sign of inequality (.gt. or .lt.) between them;
as, the inequality 2 .lt. 3, or 4 .gt. 1.
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6. (Astron.) An irregularity, or a deviation, in the motion
of a planet or satellite from its uniform mean motion; the
amount of such deviation.
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